John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid Discussion

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Liberty University *

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HIUS 222

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History

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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Uploaded by stevens0814

Abolitionist John Brown was known for conducting the raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown viewed slavery as unjust and immoral. While Brown had good intentions, the raid on Harpers Ferry went awry, and consequently, he was hung for treason. The raid on Harpers Ferry resulted in a tremendous amount of tension between the North and the South. His trial and hanging “culminated in an entire decade of political and sometimes violent and bloody sectional strife over the issue of slavery.” 1 Most Northerners were sympathetic to Brown’s cause and wanted justice for him; however, pro-slavery individuals wanted to make an example out of Brown’s actions and death. Northerners and Southerners used Brown as an excuse to commit more violence to promote their cause. The rise in violence went too far and eventually contributed to the beginning of the Civil War. When Lincoln took office, he took command of a broken nation; however, he did not let that deter his choices. He knew that there were previous events that contributed to causing the rift. However, Lincoln wanted to respect states’ position in the Union and enforce the laws. The President said he “was bound to preserve the Union, Lincoln explained, but he would not be the aggressor. He would not attack the southern states or their institution of slavery unless they attacked first.” 2 Because of the events that occurred at Fort Sumter, Lincoln was obligated to stand behind his words. Lincoln wanted to stop the violence and the North and South to compromise on the issue of slavery. He would neither condone the spread of nor eliminate slavery. However, Lincoln was up against a nation of pro-slavery personnel who did not fully support their commander-in-chief. For example, “Seward hinted broadly to the Confederate 1 Woodworth, Steven E.. This Great Struggle: America's Civil War . Blue Ridge Summit: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated, 2012. Accessed October 26, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central. 27 2 Woodworth, Steven E.. This Great Struggle: America's Civil War . Blue Ridge Summit: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated, 2012. Accessed October 26, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central. 32

agents that Fort Sumter would be abandoned, a decision he had no authority to make.” 3 Seward’s actions resulted in the surrender of Anderson at Fort Sumter, which in turn caused the first shot of the Civil War. The choices of Seward and Confederate soldiers resulted in the Civil War. Therefore, despite Brown’s contribution to the cause of the Civil War, it did not affect Abraham Lincoln’s decision to declare war. Bibliography 3 Woodworth, Steven E.. This Great Struggle: America's Civil War . Blue Ridge Summit: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated, 2012. Accessed October 26, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central. 34

Woodworth, Steven E.. 2012. This Great Struggle: America's Civil War . Blue Ridge Summit: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated. Accessed October 26, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central.

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